AUSTIN (AP) - Democratic gubernatorial nominee Wendy Davis spent about $4 million in August to attack her Republican opponent on television.

The San Antonio Express News reported Monday that it reviewed the documents and interviewed industry experts to compile the figure. Voters will choose between Davis and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Nov. 4.

The expenditure amounts to more than 30 percent of the campaign’s total cash on hand as of last month. It has aired a particular attack ad at least 5,000 times statewide.

A Davis spokesman says the campaign is going negative early because Texans want a governor who “will fight for them.”

An Abbott spokesman denounced the television ads as a desperate tactic from a political opponent behind in the polls.